Itinerary
- Day 1
Paro
You'll land at Paro International Airport and get transferred to your hotel for check-in. If the weather cooperates during your flight, you might catch views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchenjunga, and Mt. Gangkar Puensum from the air. After getting settled, the afternoon is open for you to relax or walk around Paro town at 2200m/7218ft. If you feel like exploring, the Ta Dzong (an old watch tower) houses the National Museum of Bhutan, or you can head down to Paro Dzong, built way back in 1644. Your tour operator will take you out for a welcome drink and dinner this evening.
- Start point
- Paro, Bhutan (Paro International Airport)
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner with BGT)
Included Activities
- Welcome drink and dinner with BGT
Optional Activities
- Explore Paro town at 2200m
- Visit Ta Dzong (National Museum of Bhutan)
- Walk to Paro Dzong
Landmarks Ta Dzong (National Museum of Bhutan) Paro Dzong - Day 2
Paro
Today you're hiking to Paro Taktshang Monastery (Tiger's Nest) at 2950m/9678ft, one of Bhutan's most important pilgrimage sites. The trailhead starts at Ramthangkha, about 12 km from Paro town, and the round trip takes roughly 4 to 5 hours including time to explore the monastery itself. Walking through pine forests with prayer flags lining the path, you'll see the monastery clinging to a cliff face 900m above the valley floor. There's an option to ride a horse or pony partway up to a viewpoint if you want to ease the climb. This hike helps you adjust to the elevation before your trek begins.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Paro Taktshang Monastery (Tiger's Nest)
Optional Activities
- Horse/pony ride for transport halfway up the trail
Landmarks Paro Taktshang Monastery (Tiger's Nest) - Day 3
Paro to Jele Dzong
After breakfast you'll drive to Ta Dzong where you'll meet your trek crew and horses. From there the trek starts through apple orchards and terraced fields. You'll walk about 7 km over 4 to 5 hours, climbing gently through forest to reach Jele Dzong at 3480m/11417ft, a mostly ruined dzong sitting on a ridge. When the weather's clear you can see down to the Paro valley and spot snow-capped peaks including Mt. Jhomolhari at 7314m/24016ft. You'll camp at the dzong tonight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through apple orchards and cultivated terracing to Jele Dzong
- Visit Jele Dzong (if caretaker available)
Landmarks Jele Dzong Mt. Jhomolhari - Day 4
Jangchulakha
Your trek covers 10 km with 4 to 5 hours of walking through thick alpine forest and dwarf rhododendron trees leading to Jangchulakha. The ridge offers good views of Mt. Jhomolhari and the snow-capped mountains around it. Keep an eye out for the colorful Monal pheasant, and you might spot yaks with herders near the camp. You'll sleep at 3770m/12369ft in the campsite near the yak herders' camps.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through alpine forests and dwarf rhododendron trees to Jangchulakha
Landmarks Mt. Jhomolhari - Day 5
Jimilangtso Lake
This 11 km trek with 4 hours of walking follows the ridge to Jangchula Pass at 4190m/13747ft. The views across the valleys are excellent, and on clear days you'll see Mt. Jichu Drake at 6989m/22930ft. From there the trail drops down to Jimilangtso Lake (Sand Ox Lake), which is known for its giant trout and a local legend about a mystical ox. Farmers supposedly bring their cows here hoping for valuable calves. Your camp sits on the lake shore at 3870m/12697ft.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Jangchula Pass and Jimilangtso Lake
Landmarks Jangchula Pass Jimilangtso Lake (Sand Ox Lake) Mt. Jichu Drake - Day 6
Labana
You'll trek 12 km over 5 hours through dwarf rhododendron trees past Janetsho Lake and yak herder camps. From there it continues up to Simkotra Lake, popular with trout, then over a saddle at 4180m/13714ft below rocky peaks. You'll encounter yak herders and yaks fairly regularly on this stretch. After crossing a small pass and descending, you'll reach your campsite in Labana at 4130m/13550ft.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through dwarf rhododendron trees, past Janetsho Lake and Simkotra Lake to Labana
Landmarks Janetsho Lake Simkotra Lake - Day 7
Thimphu
The final trek section is 10 km with 4 hours of walking, starting with a gradual climb to Phumela at 4210m/13812ft, which is the highest pass on this trek and has views looking toward Thimphu valley. On clear days Mt. Gangkar Puensum at 7570m/24836ft (Bhutan's highest peak) is visible. From the pass it's downhill through blue pine forest to Phajoding Monastery at 3960m/12992ft, then to the roadhead at Sangaygang where transport will meet you. You'll head to your Thimphu hotel for the afternoon. If you want to do some exploring, check out the National Memorial Chorten (Stupa) or Kuenselphodrang, which has the world's largest 169ft Buddha Dordenma statue.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Phumela Pass, Phajoding Monastery and roadhead at Sangaygang
- Visit National Memorial Chorten (Stupa)
- Visit Kuenselphodrang (Buddha Dordenma statue)
Optional Activities
- Explore Thimphu city
- Stroll the streets of Thimphu city in the evening
Landmarks Phumela Pass Phajoding Monastery Mt. Gangkar Puensum National Memorial Chorten (Stupa) Kuenselphodrang (Buddha Dordenma statue) - Day 8
Thimphu to Punakha
After breakfast you'll drive to Punakha, 71 km away, which takes about 3 hours. On the way you'll stop at Tashigang Gonpa in Hongtsho (roughly 45 minutes from Thimphu), then hike to Lungchutse Gonpa through forests with hemlock, rhododendrons, and junipers for 3 to 4 hours. The weather might cooperate to show you all of Bhutan's major mountains including Jomolhari, Kang Bum, Gangchhenta, Masang Gang, and Gangkar Puensum, with the Tibetan plateaus visible beyond. Next you'll visit the Druk Wangyal Chortens (108 stupas) at Dochula Pass at 3050m/10007ft before heading to Punakha. Once there, stop by Chimi Lhakhang Temple near Sopsokha village, built in 1499 by Saint Drukpa Kinley (known as the Divine Madman) and called the Fertility Temple.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Tashigang Gonpa
- Hike to Lungchutse Gonpa
- Visit Druk Wangyal Chortens (108 stupas) on Dochula Pass
- Visit Chimi Lhakhang Temple (Fertility Temple)
Landmarks Tashigang Gonpa Lungchutse Gonpa Druk Wangyal Chortens Dochula Pass Chimi Lhakhang Temple (Fertility Temple) 
- Day 9
Punakha to Paro
This morning there's an easy hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, which sits nicely on a ridge overlooking the Punakha valley. Built by Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuk, the walk crosses a suspension bridge through rice fields before climbing a moderate trail through pine forest, about 1 hour up and 30 minutes down. Later in the day you'll visit Punakha Dzong, positioned at the meeting point of the Pho Chhu (male) and Mo Chhu (female) Rivers. After lunch you'll drive back to Paro, 71 km away, which takes around 4 hours. The evening is yours to either explore Paro town or visit a local farmhouse to have tea with the farmer and family, which gives you a sense of traditional Bhutanese life.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
- Visit Punakha Dzong
Optional Activities
- Explore Paro town
- Visit a local farmhouse for tea with a farmer and family
Landmarks Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten Punakha Dzong - Day 10
Departure
Your tour ends today with a transfer to Paro International Airport for your flight out, with your Bhutan Green Travel guide accompanying you.
- End point
- Paro, Bhutan (Paro International Airport)
